English
English version: 'In that Buddha-land, there are such various exquisite adornments, meritorious virtues, and majestic embellishments, which are extremely delightful and pleasing; therefore, it is called the Land of Ultimate Bliss.' 'Moreover, Shariputra (one of the Buddha's ten great disciples, known for his wisdom)! In the pure Buddha-land of the Land of Ultimate Bliss, the entire ground is made of pure gold, its touch is soft, its fragrance is pure, and it shines with light, adorned with immeasurable and boundless precious jewels. Shariputra! In that Buddha-land, there are such various exquisite adornments, meritorious virtues, and majestic embellishments, which are extremely delightful and pleasing; therefore, it is called the Land of Ultimate Bliss.' 'Moreover, Shariputra! In the pure Buddha-land of the Land of Ultimate Bliss, during the six periods of day and night, various supreme celestial flowers constantly rain down, their luster is bright, their fragrance is pure, they are soft and of various colors. Although they bring joy to the body and mind of those who see them, they do not cause attachment or craving, but rather increase the immeasurable, countless, and inconceivable supreme merits of sentient beings. The sentient beings there, during the six periods of day and night, constantly use these celestial flowers to make offerings to Amitayus Buddha (another name for Amitabha Buddha); every morning, they take these celestial flowers and, within the time it takes to eat a meal, fly to countless other worlds, making offerings to hundreds of thousands of kotis (a koti is an Indian unit of counting, meaning ten million) of Buddhas. At each Buddha's place, they each scatter and offer hundreds of thousands of kotis of tree flowers, and then return to their original place, dwelling and playing in the sky. Shariputra! In that Buddha-land, there are such various exquisite adornments, meritorious virtues, and majestic embellishments, which are extremely delightful and pleasing; therefore, it is called the Land of Ultimate Bliss.' 'Moreover, Shariputra! In the pure Buddha-land of the Land of Ultimate Bliss, there are always various wonderful and lovely birds of different colors, such as: geese, swans, egrets, cranes, peacocks, parrots, kalavinkas (a kind of beautiful bird), jivamjivakas, and so on. These birds, during the six periods of day and night, constantly sing together, producing harmonious and pleasing sounds, and according to their respective kinds, they proclaim the wonderful Dharma, such as: the profound mindfulness (one of the four foundations of mindfulness), right exertion (one of the four right exertions), spiritual power (one of the four spiritual powers), roots (the five roots), powers (the five powers), enlightenment factors (the seven factors of enlightenment), the path factors (the eightfold path), and other immeasurable wonderful Dharmas. When the sentient beings there hear these sounds, they each attain immeasurable merits of mindfulness of the Buddha, mindfulness of the Dharma, and mindfulness of the Sangha, cultivating their bodies. You, Shariputra, what do you think? Are the birds in that land considered to belong to the animal realm (a realm of suffering)? Do not hold such a view. Why is that? In that pure Buddha-land, there are no three evil paths; one does not even hear the names of the three evil realms, let alone the existence of actual evil realms!' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
罪业所招傍生！众鸟当知皆是无量寿佛变化所作，令其宣畅无量法音，作诸有情利益安乐。舍利子！彼佛土中有如是等众妙绮饰，功德庄严甚可爱乐，是故名为极乐世界。 “又，舍利子！极乐世界净佛土中，常有妙风吹诸宝树及宝罗网出微妙音。譬如百千俱胝天乐同时俱作，出微妙声甚可爱玩；如是彼土常有妙风吹众宝树及宝罗网，击出种种微妙音声说种种法。彼土众生闻是声已，起佛、法、僧念作意等无量功德。舍利子！彼佛土中有如是等众妙绮饰，功德庄严甚可爱乐，是故名为极乐世界。 “又，舍利子！极乐世界净佛土中，有如是等无量无边不可思议甚希有事。假使经于百千俱胝那庾多劫，以其无量百千俱胝那庾多舌，一一舌上出无量声赞其功德亦不能尽，是故名为极乐世界。 “又，舍利子！极乐世界净佛土中，佛有何缘名无量寿？舍利子！由彼如来及诸有情，寿命无量无数大劫；由是缘故，彼土如来名无量寿。舍利子！无量寿佛证得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提已来经十大劫。舍利子！何缘彼佛名无量光？舍利子！由彼如来恒放无量无边妙光，遍照一切十方佛土，施作佛事无有障碍；由是缘故，彼土如来名无量光。舍利子！彼佛净土成就如是功德庄严甚可爱乐，是故名为极乐世界。 “ 现代汉语译本：因罪业所感召而投生的傍生道众生！你们这些鸟儿应当知道，这一切都是无量寿佛（Amitayus Buddha，又名阿弥陀佛，意为拥有无量寿命的佛）变化所显现的，为了让它们宣扬无量的佛法之音，为一切有情众生带来利益和安乐。舍利子（Sariputra，佛陀的十大弟子之一，以智慧著称）！那个佛国中有如此种种美妙的装饰，功德庄严，非常可爱，因此被称为极乐世界（Sukhavati，意为安乐的净土）。 又，舍利子！在极乐世界清净的佛土中，经常有美妙的风吹动着宝树和宝罗网，发出微妙的声音。就像成百上千俱胝（koti，印度计数单位，表示千万）的天乐同时演奏，发出非常美妙动听的声音一样；同样，那个佛土也经常有美妙的风吹动着宝树和宝罗网，敲击出各种微妙的声音，宣说各种佛法。那个佛土的众生听到这些声音后，会生起对佛、法、僧的忆念和作意等无量功德。舍利子！那个佛国中有如此种种美妙的装饰，功德庄严，非常可爱，因此被称为极乐世界。 又，舍利子！在极乐世界清净的佛土中，有如此等等无量无边、不可思议、非常稀有的事情。即使经过百千俱胝那庾多（nayuta，印度计数单位，表示千万）劫的时间，用无量百千俱胝那庾多条舌头，每一条舌头上发出无量的声音来赞叹它的功德，也无法穷尽，因此被称为极乐世界。 又，舍利子！在极乐世界清净的佛土中，佛陀为何被称为无量寿（Amitayus）？舍利子！因为那位如来（Tathagata，佛的称号）和所有有情众生的寿命都是无量无数大劫；因为这个缘故，那个佛土的如来被称为无量寿。舍利子！无量寿佛证得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提（Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi，无上正等正觉，佛的最高觉悟）以来已经过了十大劫。舍利子！为何那位佛被称为无量光（Amitabha，意为拥有无量光明的佛）？舍利子！因为那位如来恒常放出无量无边的美妙光明，遍照一切十方佛土，施行佛事没有任何障碍；因为这个缘故，那个佛土的如来被称为无量光。舍利子！那个佛的净土成就了如此功德庄严，非常可爱，因此被称为极乐世界。
English
English version: Beings of the animal realm, born from karmic deeds! You birds should know that all of this is manifested by the transformation of Amitayus Buddha (also known as Amitabha Buddha, meaning the Buddha of immeasurable life), to have them proclaim the immeasurable sound of Dharma, bringing benefit and happiness to all sentient beings. Sariputra (one of the ten great disciples of the Buddha, known for his wisdom)! In that Buddha-land, there are such wonderful decorations, adorned with merits, which are very lovely, therefore it is called the Land of Bliss (Sukhavati, meaning the land of bliss). Furthermore, Sariputra! In the pure Buddha-land of the Land of Bliss, there are often wonderful winds blowing through the jeweled trees and jeweled nets, producing subtle sounds. It is like hundreds of thousands of kotis (an Indian unit of counting, meaning ten million) of celestial music playing simultaneously, producing very wonderful and pleasant sounds; similarly, in that land, there are often wonderful winds blowing through the jeweled trees and jeweled nets, striking out various subtle sounds, proclaiming various Dharmas. When the beings of that land hear these sounds, they will generate immeasurable merits such as the recollection and contemplation of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Sariputra! In that Buddha-land, there are such wonderful decorations, adorned with merits, which are very lovely, therefore it is called the Land of Bliss. Furthermore, Sariputra! In the pure Buddha-land of the Land of Bliss, there are such immeasurable, boundless, inconceivable, and extremely rare things. Even if countless hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas (an Indian unit of counting, meaning ten million) of kalpas (an eon) pass, using countless hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of tongues, with each tongue producing immeasurable sounds to praise its merits, it would still be impossible to exhaust them, therefore it is called the Land of Bliss. Furthermore, Sariputra! In the pure Buddha-land of the Land of Bliss, why is the Buddha called Amitayus (Immeasurable Life)? Sariputra! Because the lifespan of that Tathagata (a title of the Buddha) and all sentient beings is immeasurable and countless great kalpas; for this reason, the Tathagata of that land is called Amitayus. Sariputra! It has been ten great kalpas since Amitayus Buddha attained Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi (the supreme perfect enlightenment of a Buddha). Sariputra! Why is that Buddha called Amitabha (Immeasurable Light)? Sariputra! Because that Tathagata constantly emits immeasurable and boundless wonderful light, illuminating all Buddha-lands in the ten directions, performing Buddha-works without any obstacles; for this reason, the Tathagata of that land is called Amitabha. Sariputra! That Buddha's pure land is accomplished with such meritorious adornments, which are very lovely, therefore it is called the Land of Bliss. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
又，舍利子！极乐世界净佛土中，无量寿佛常有无量声闻弟子，一切皆是大阿罗汉，具足种种微妙功德，其量无边不可称数。舍利子！彼佛净土成就如是功德庄严甚可爱乐，是故名为极乐世界。 “又，舍利子！极乐世界净佛土中，无量寿佛常有无量菩萨弟子，一切皆是一生所系，具足种种微妙功德，其量无边不可称数，假使经于无数量劫赞其功德终不能尽。舍利子！彼佛土中成就如是功德庄严甚可爱乐，是故名为极乐世界。 “又，舍利子！若诸有情生彼土者皆不退转，必不复堕诸险恶趣、边地下贱蔑戾车中，常游诸佛清净国土，殊胜行愿念念增进，决定当证阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。舍利子！彼佛土中成就如是功德庄严甚可爱乐，是故名为极乐世界。 “又，舍利子！若诸有情闻彼西方无量寿佛清净佛土无量功德众所庄严，皆应发愿生彼佛土。所以者何？若生彼土，得与如是无量功德众所庄严诸大士等同一集会，受用如是无量功德众所庄严清净佛土，大乘法乐常无退转，无量行愿念念增进，速证无上正等菩提。故，舍利子！生彼佛土诸有情类成就无量无边功德，非少善根诸有情类当得往生无量寿佛极乐世界清净佛土。 “又，舍利子！若有净信诸善男子或善女人，得闻如是无量寿佛无量无边 现代汉语译本： 再者，舍利子！在极乐世界清净的佛土中，无量寿佛（Amitayus Buddha）常有无数的声闻弟子，他们都是大阿罗汉（Arhat），具备种种微妙的功德，其数量无边无法计算。舍利子！那个佛土成就了如此功德庄严，非常可爱和令人喜悦，所以称为极乐世界。 再者，舍利子！在极乐世界清净的佛土中，无量寿佛常有无数的菩萨弟子，他们都是一生补处（Ekajati-pratibaddha），具备种种微妙的功德，其数量无边无法计算，即使经过无数劫赞叹他们的功德也无法穷尽。舍利子！那个佛土成就了如此功德庄严，非常可爱和令人喜悦，所以称为极乐世界。 再者，舍利子！如果众生往生到那个佛土，都不会退转，必定不会再堕入各种险恶的道途、边地和蔑戾车（Mleccha）中，他们会常游历诸佛清净的国土，殊胜的行愿念念增进，必定会证得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提（Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi）。舍利子！那个佛土成就了如此功德庄严，非常可爱和令人喜悦，所以称为极乐世界。 再者，舍利子！如果众生听闻到西方无量寿佛清净佛土的无量功德所庄严，都应当发愿往生到那个佛土。为什么呢？如果往生到那个佛土，就能与如此无量功德所庄严的诸大士们同聚一处，受用如此无量功德所庄严的清净佛土，大乘佛法的快乐永远不会退转，无量的行愿念念增进，迅速证得无上正等菩提。所以，舍利子！往生到那个佛土的众生，成就了无量无边的功德，不是只有少许善根的众生才能往生到无量寿佛的极乐世界清净佛土。 再者，舍利子！如果有具足净信的善男子或善女人，听闻到如此无量寿佛无量无边的
English
English version: Furthermore, Shariputra! In the pure Buddha-land of the World of Bliss, Amitayus Buddha always has countless Shravaka disciples, all of whom are great Arhats, possessing various subtle merits, their number being boundless and incalculable. Shariputra! That Buddha-land is adorned with such merits, being very lovely and delightful, therefore it is called the World of Bliss. Furthermore, Shariputra! In the pure Buddha-land of the World of Bliss, Amitayus Buddha always has countless Bodhisattva disciples, all of whom are bound to one more birth, possessing various subtle merits, their number being boundless and incalculable, even if one were to praise their merits for countless kalpas, it would not be exhausted. Shariputra! That Buddha-land is adorned with such merits, being very lovely and delightful, therefore it is called the World of Bliss. Furthermore, Shariputra! If sentient beings are born in that land, they will not regress, and will certainly not fall into any dangerous paths, borderlands, or Mleccha (barbarian) regions. They will always travel in the pure lands of all Buddhas, their superior vows and practices will increase moment by moment, and they will certainly attain Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. Shariputra! That Buddha-land is adorned with such merits, being very lovely and delightful, therefore it is called the World of Bliss. Furthermore, Shariputra! If sentient beings hear of the immeasurable merits that adorn the pure Buddha-land of Amitayus Buddha in the West, they should all make vows to be born in that Buddha-land. Why is that? If one is born in that land, one will be in the same assembly as the great beings adorned with such immeasurable merits, enjoying the pure Buddha-land adorned with such immeasurable merits, the joy of the Mahayana Dharma will never regress, immeasurable vows and practices will increase moment by moment, and one will quickly attain unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment. Therefore, Shariputra! Sentient beings born in that Buddha-land achieve immeasurable and boundless merits, and it is not only those with few good roots who can be reborn in the pure Buddha-land of Amitayus Buddha in the World of Bliss. Furthermore, Shariputra! If there are virtuous men or virtuous women with pure faith, who hear of the immeasurable and boundless --------------------------------------------------------------------------------